The main difference between the Trinity Church and other churches is the Church of the Old Believers. After two and a half centuries of persecution, Nicholas II signed the Law on Tolerance. Any denomination could build temples and places of worship and perform religious rites. Old Believers, who had been persecuted since the time of Patriarch Nikon, could openly attend their services. Now it was a matter of location. Although the tsar signed the law in 1905, construction of the temple came only in 1913. It was consecrated 3 years later, already during the war. They laid the foundation for the church solemnly, with a religious procession.
The entire community donated, but the main contribution was made by famous Vladimir merchants — Old Believers. Architect Zharov from Moscow was invited to work on the project.
He used neo-Russian style — a mixture of Old Russian and Byzantine elements. The temple was built of red brick and trimmed with white stone. The stepped design symbolized the flame in which the Old Believers preferred to burn, but not betray their faith.
The inside of the church was richly decorated. A huge iconostasis made of black oak and gilded utensils gave the temple a solemn appearance.
The very construction of the Old Believer church was already an extraordinary event, since the temple was not closed for quite a long time. Services there ceased only in 1928. The building was used as an archive, a dormitory, and a warehouse.
In the 60s they wanted to blow up the temple to expand the area. The residents of Vladimir came out in favor of preserving the church, but the famous writer Vladimir Soloukhin gave weight to their requests. He was interested in Russian icon painting and architecture and could not allow a building with such history to disappear. The temple was defended. But it was in terrible condition; it was never
repaired.
Reconstruction began in the 70s. After its completion, in 1974, the exhibition hall of the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve opened in the building.
Charitable Foundation Holy Land
Temples and Monasteries of Russia
